Melbourne Boomers Women
Wikipedia - Geelong United (WNBL)
Geelong United is an Australian professional basketball team based in Geelong, Victoria. United compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and will play their home games at Geelong Arena starting in 2024.
Beginning as the Bulleen Boomers in 1984, the team underwent a name change in 2013 to Melbourne Boomers. In 2024, the Boomers' WNBL licence was transferred to Geelong United Basketball.
History
Bulleen-Templestowe Basketball Club (BTBC) was established in 1969. In 1984, BTBC secured a licence to join the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), marking the debut of the Bulleen Boomers.
The Boomers were first coached by Trevor Cook, with the initial team including Michele Timms and Samantha Thornton. The club first qualified for the WNBL finals in 1989 under the guidance of coach Paul Deacon, and, after progressing to the same stage the following year, missed the playoffs until 1996. In coach Lori Chizik's first season, Bulleen finished third in the regular season before bowing out in the semi-finals. Chizik led the Boomers to the 1999–2000 preliminary final, marking the club's best-ever result to that point. Cheryl Chambers then took over in 2001–02 and steered the club to two finals appearances, including the 2004–05 preliminary final. Katrina Hibbert and Hollie Grima formed the backbone of the Boomers during the 2000s. Hibbert won back-to-back League MVP awards during the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.
Bulleen made four straight WNBL grand finals between 2008–09 and 2011–12, winning their first championship in 2010–11 behind Desiree Glaubitz, Sharin Milner, Liz Cambage, Rachel Jarry, Jenna O'Hea and coach Tom Maher.
In 2013, BTBC changed the team name to Melbourne Boomers to target a wider area of population and boost crowd numbers. The team also changed its colours from blue and gold to purple and gold, and moved their home games to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna. In 2014, Deakin University joined as a naming rights partner. In 2016, a new ownership group took over the Boomers' license from BTBC.
In the 2017–18 season, the Boomers reached the grand final but lost to the Townsville Fire. In the 2021–22 season, the Boomers won their second WNBL championship under coach Guy Molloy.
In March 2024, Geelong United Basketball (GUB) and a consortium of local private investors from Geelong expressed interest in acquiring the Boomers' licence after the Boomers' ownership group looked to transfer its licence. Two months later, the license was officially transferred to GUB, with the team moving to Geelong under a new brand Geelong United.
The Melbourne Boomers Women's team is known for their fast-paced and exciting style of play, with a focus on strong defense and high-scoring offense. The team is led by a talented roster of players, including both seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars.
The team's home games are played at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne, where they have a dedicated and passionate fan base that cheers them on to victory. The Melbourne Boomers Women's team is a powerhouse in the WNBL and is always a contender for the championship title.
Off the court, the Melbourne Boomers Women's team is actively involved in the community, participating in various outreach programs and initiatives to promote the sport of basketball and inspire the next generation of female athletes.
Overall, the Melbourne Boomers Women's basketball team is a force to be reckoned with in the WNBL, known for their skill, determination, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court.